Dr. Yahir Santiago-Lastra

Yahir Santiago-Lastra, MD, is director of UC San Diego Health's Women's Pelvic Medicine Center, which provides comprehensive and multidisciplinary care for a wide range of urogynecologic and pelvic floor dysfunctions. She specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of urogenital conditions in both men and women, including those caused by neurologic disorders. These include pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, overactive bladder, neurogenic bladder, ureteral stricture, and post-prostatectomy incontinence, among other pelvic floor disorders.

Her other areas of expertise include procedures such as neuromodulation for overactive bladder, bladder augmentation and urinary diversion. She also works with patients with congenital urologic malformations who are transitioning from pediatric to adult care.

As an associate professor in the Department of Urology, Dr. Santiago-Lastra instructs medical students, residents and fellows at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Her research interests include transitional care in patients with neurogenic bladder, sacral and peripheral neuromodulation, urinary diversion and urinary incontinence.

Dr. Santiago-Lastra completed a fellowship in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at University of Michigan Medical School and a residency in urology at Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, where she was selected for her clinical and leadership skills to serve as chief resident. Following her residency, Dr. Santiago-Lastra served as a clinical instructor in surgery in the Department of Urology at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Santiago-Lastra earned her medical degree from University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, where she graduated magna cum laude and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

She is a member of the Society of Women in Urology, the Society for Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU), and the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS).

Dr. Santiago-Lastra was recently awarded an Academy of Clinician Scholars Faculty Development Award for her work in developing a Transition Urology Care Program for adults with congenital urologic conditions.

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling with her family and writing non-fiction. Dr. Santiago-Lastra is from San Juan, Puerto Rico and speaks Spanish and French fluently.